Always Movin' forward

You may recall the words of an old song: “Slow down, you’re goin’ too fast. Got to make the morning last.” As today is Sunday, it’s an fitting prompt of the need to rest. If God felt it needful to rest, how much more should we?

Most of us will rest briefly without guilt, but rest imposed by illness or injury is different. We feel it stops life; it’s an intrusion into making life worthwhile. We can add other hardships that make us feel sidelined.

In fact, we see most adverse events as reverses in life; not just a break, but a backward motion. We often describe it as “two steps forward, one (or more) steps back.” But is that a fair comment on the difficulties of life?

Ecclesiastes 3 lists opposites that comprise life: to be born and die, to weep and laugh, to mourn and dance, a time for war and peace, and more. This supports the Bible’s claim that progress in life includes sorrow as well as joy. As I trust God this way, my adversity has meaning, whether or not I see or sense it.

My mistake or failure is not a backward step, but I learn another step toward my goal. During a time laid aside, I can listen, perhaps learning for a future need. Even a life of incapacity is occasion for God to display His grace and strength. Remember Joni Eareckson Tada.

A recent author suggested we should not waste our cancer. That scourge, and every other like it, viewed this way, is moving to the goal outlined by Jesus: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We can be part of that, whatever life brings us.